2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
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Tasting notes
Readers looking for a small taste of the quality that consistently comes from this estate should check out the 2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. Revealing a similar ruby, almost semi-translucent color to go with a great nose of red and black fruits, spicy herbs, loamy soil, and a touch of scorched earth, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a great mid-palate, just a kiss of background oak, and outstanding length. It’s well worth a case purchase and is going to keep for 7-8 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This is their first offering of a Sonoma Coast Pinot exclusively from Riddle Vineyard. They use a little bit of every clone from the site and ‘position those components to complement each other’. The idea is that the Mt Eden clone is picked early to add elegance and aromatic finesse, the 828 fills the mid palate with sweet red and black fruit, and the Pommard provides the structure that frames the finish. Mid crimson. Not the freshest nose. Real intensity of fruit and still a bit of oak influence. Lots of flattering pleasure here though it needs to shed a little bit of tannin. (JR)
The 2019 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is very open and effusive in this vintage, which leads me to think it will drink well with minimal cellaring. Sweet spice and floral notes add brightness to the red/purplish berry fruit. There is a lovely sense of immediacy to the 2019, if not quite the detail of the very best years. Another year or two in bottle will only help. Alternatively, I suggest opening it well in advance.